GE15 still possible before mid-November, says Umno

Umno feels that it is still possible for the 15th general election (GE15) to be held before mid-November, its secretary-general Ahmad Maslan said. 

However, he said the party would leave the date to the discretion of the Election Commission.

"Umno is of the view that the dissolution of Parliament is the best way since it is becoming increasingly clear that representatives of the other coalition parties are not showing solidarity for the prime minister in the administration of the country. 

"Declaring Umno and BN (Barisan Nasional) as the main enemy only reflects distrust and disrespect towards Umno which helms the government," he said, reading a media statement after a special meeting of the Umno Supreme Council in Kuala Lumpur last night.
 
Earlier, Prime Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob in a special announcement said he had obtained the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong to dissolve the 14th Parliament during an audience at Istana Negara the day before. 

Ahmad said Umno expressed its gratitude and thanks to Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah for consenting to the dissolution of Parliament. 

"Umno respects Tuanku's command and even holds a similar position that the country cannot be allowed to continue in a state of political uncertainty, and that the mandate should be returned to the people for them to elect a government that can guarantee the stability and prosperity of the country," he said.

On what was discussed during the Supreme Council meeting, Ahmad said it mainly pertained to the party’s GE15 election machinery and strategies.
 
"The meeting also agreed that the main theme of the (BN) manifesto for GE15 will be 'Stability and Prosperity', which was also used for the Melaka and Johor state elections before this. 

"It will be brought to the BN Supreme Council for approval," he said.

Separately, he said the Umno general assembly scheduled for Nov 23 to 26 would be held at another date to be announced later.